What does the club's Designated Child Safeguarding Officer need?

Under Irish FA safeguarding policy, every club and affiliated body must appoint a Designated Child Safeguarding Officer (DCSO). Before appointing someone, the club must make sure they have:

• a satisfactory AccessNI check before taking up the role
• completed the Irish FA basic safeguarding course
• completed the Irish FA DCSO training within 6 months of starting
• kept up refresher training

The DCSO:

• is the first point of contact on safeguarding for coaches, volunteers, parents and players
• sits on the club management committee
• makes sure every volunteer supervising children has completed vetting and safeguarding training before starting, and renews both on time
• keeps records of each volunteer's coaching qualifications, vetting outcome, training dates and any complaints.